In Bhilwara, the police have made a significant breakthrough before the NEET-UG exam’s re-conduct by uncovering a fake question paper scheme. A 19-year-old youth named Akash allegedly used Artificial Intelligence (AI) and online resources via Telegram to produce and sell counterfeit exam papers. Akash has been placed in police custody until June 22 following the court’s decision.
Akash Chaudhary, the suspect, was apprehended on Thursday night, while a minor associate responsible for managing the Telegram group and adding members was detained the next day. The idea of circulating a fake paper emerged after the nationwide NEET paper leak controversy and subsequent exam cancellation, as per investigators. Akash sourced NEET study materials, question banks, and potential questions from Google and other online platforms.
Motivated by the prospect of quick profits, he allegedly crafted a bogus question paper using AI tools and original content, marketing it as a genuine leaked paper. To distribute the forged paper, Akash established a Telegram group called “Paper Mafia,” attracting 54 members, including NEET aspirants from Rajasthan and beyond. It was revealed that seven members bought the fake paper, with Akash reportedly making around ₹18,000 by charging Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 per candidate.
Despite using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connected to a US server to avoid detection, Akash’s suspicious activities and the group’s name “Paper Mafia” drew the attention of intelligence agencies and local law enforcement. Acting on surveillance and intelligence inputs, the police arrested Akash in Patel Nagar. During the operation, authorities seized two mobile phones, a bank passbook, NEET preparation materials, and notebooks for further investigation.
The accused’s family expressed shock over the arrest, portraying Akash as a bright student preparing for competitive exams. They attributed the incident to immaturity rather than criminal intent. Akash, a resident of Patel Nagar, Bhilwara, originally from Churu district, was reportedly preparing for Indian Air Force recruitment when he got involved in the fake paper scam. The investigation is ongoing to determine if Akash had connections to a broader exam fraud network and to identify all individuals linked to the distribution and purchase of the counterfeit question paper.
